Experts from Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda convened in Kigali to discuss the Treaty of Transboundary Collaboration in the Greater Virunga Landscape. The consultation focused on harmonising comments on the text of the Treaty, taking into account sovereignty concerns of the states on whose territories the protected areas are located. The Treaty seeks to establish a permanent framework for cross-border cooperation to enhance conservation of the biodiversity and improve livelihood of communities in the Greater Virunga Landscape.

The parties secured agreement on many of the issues forming the draft text. A final meeting of experts from three states, proposed around the second half of April this year, is expected to produce the conclusive Treaty text to be submitted to the supervisory Ministers for endorsement. The Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Prof. Alphonse Ntumba Luaba and his counterpart from the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) Dr. Georges Muamba Tshibasu have encouraged the consultation group to complete the process with as little delay as possible in order for the Treaty to be opened for signature and ratification.